Nursing the Soldier's Heart

“I know. But think of the reward. You get to go to the wedding.”

Cora nodded. “That’s the only thing that keeps me going besides having Brady here. Thank you for your efforts to contact him. Just seeing him brightens my day.”

“I’m glad I could help.” Kirsten had to admit Brady’s presence had given Cora a lift. Kirsten hadn’t expected that.

“I don’t know what I’d do without this place. Y’all have given me a lot of hope.”

“That’s what we’re here for. After all, this is The Village of Hope. Hope is the most important thing we have around here.” Kirsten looked at Cora with sympathy.

Nodding, Cora sighed. “Hope in the Lord Jesus.”

“That’s who we depend on for sure.”

“I know. Say some prayers for my strength.”

“I will, and you can concentrate on your physical therapy so you can regain your strength and can get out of that wheelchair.”

“And return to my apartment.”

“Yes. The harder you work, the faster you get better.” Kirsten headed for the door but turned before she left the room. “Remember. You don’t get over a broken hip overnight.”

Cora wagged a gnarled finger at Kirsten. “Yes, but I’m not the most patient person. I like things to happen right now.”

“You don’t have many days left until the wedding.” Kirsten put a hand to her cart. “I think you’ll be ready.”

“I’d better be. Brady is so good to take me for walks.” Cora grinned. “We’re going to walk all the way to the cafeteria tonight for supper. I’m so excited to eat with Ruby and Liz.”

“That’s super news.” Kirsten couldn’t get over how attentive Brady was to his grandmother. The man appeared to be doing everything he could to help the woman who’d done her best to give him a good life. “Have fun with Ruby and Liz.”

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite grandmother and my favorite nurse.”

Kirsten turned to find Brady lounging in the doorway. Her heart did a little flip-flop. Why did this exasperating man make her react that way? It had to be his unexpected entrance. But she shouldn’t be surprised he was here. He’d shown up at this time every day for the past week, and she tried to convince herself that she didn’t look forward to his visit.

“Well, if it isn’t the favorite grandson.” Kirsten pressed her lips together in order not to smile.

“I’m glad you recognize that.” Brady walked across the room and gave Cora a kiss on her cheek. “Hey, Gram, how’s it going today?”

“Good. I’m looking forward to dinner with Ruby and Liz.”

“Have a good evening, you two. I have to deliver the rest of these meds.” Kirsten scurried out the door as the thought of Brady giving her a kiss the way he had Cora flitted through her mind. Why had that happened? Jen’s constant chatter about how Brady timed his visits so he’d see Kirsten made her think crazy things.

After Kirsten finished delivering medications to the patients on her wing of the nursing home, she returned to the nurses’ station. She plopped onto the nearby chair with a sigh and stared at the computer screen. The week-old vase of flowers, still surprisingly fresh, taunted her from the ledge above her. Another reminder of Brady. Thankfully, Jen was off helping a patient, so Kirsten didn’t have to listen to any more of the other nurse’s teasing.

Pushing thoughts of Brady from her mind, Kirsten concentrated on the patient records as she input the information into the computer. She missed the day-to-day hands-on work with patients in Brazil, especially the little children. She enjoyed helping the elderly patients here but didn’t relish the extensive amount of record keeping.

“Kirsten.”

The sound of a familiar male voice made Kirsten jump. She jerked her head upward to find Brady standing on the other side of the counter. She put a hand over her heart. “You scared me. You certainly are quiet when you walk.”

“All the better to surprise you. You were obviously lost in your work.” He gave her that lazy grin. “Do you have a minute to talk?”

“Sure.” Kirsten wondered what he wanted to talk about that he couldn’t have mentioned while she was in Cora’s room.

“Good.” He leaned on the counter next to the bouquet. He glanced at them. “Flowers still look good. Nice to know where to get good ones.”

“How’s my dad working out as a roommate?”

“Good.”

Staring at Brady, Kirsten wondered how she was going to get rid of him without being impolite. She didn’t want him hanging around here when Jen got back. That would mean listening to her supposition that Brady was out to impress Kirsten. “Was there something special you wanted to talk about?”

“Yeah, there is.” He rubbed the back of his neck and said nothing else.

Why was he hesitant? His uncertainty was completely out of character. She leaned forward. “And that would be?”

“I want to buy something for Cora, and I need your help.”

“Why my help?”

“Because you’re a woman.”

“And you need a woman’s advice?” Was he reluctant to ask a woman for help?

“Yeah.”

“Okay, I’m willing to assist you. What do I have to do?” Had she said that? No telling what he might ask.

“Go shopping with me tomorrow.”

Kirsten forced herself not to show she was the least bit put out by his ploy. He didn’t need acting lessons. He had the apprehension charade down. She had no one to blame but herself for walking right into his act. “And what will we be shopping for?”

“A dress for Cora to wear to the wedding.”

“And you can’t do that without my help?”

“No. Besides, your dad suggested I ask you when I mentioned buying the dress.”

“Okay.” Kirsten tried not to frown. What was her dad up to? Was he trying to push them together? “What time?”

“You name it.”

“Meet me at the reception desk at half past nine. That way we can be at the mall by the time the stores open.”

“Thanks. I look forward to it.” Brady turned and sauntered back down the hall.

Kirsten couldn’t help watching him walk away. Now there’s a fine-looking man. Jen’s words echoed through Kirsten’s mind. He was growing on her. Lately she hadn’t even noticed his tattoos. Was she inviting trouble by letting down her guard with regard to Brady and his considerable charm? She didn’t dare mention it to Jen, or she would never give Kirsten a minute of peace about it. She could purge these thoughts from her mind on her own. She knew from experience that charming men only brought heartache.

Chapter Four (#ulink_ff67f594-9b7c-5f3b-8a0e-91531366c546)